I second the idea of cataloging everything! It is very interesting, and you can be very creative with your wardrobe when everything is registered.

Shannon, I'm sorry to hear about your home repair costs. The comfort might be that regarding your wardrobe, you have a magnificent selection of garments and accessories. There might be wants, but probably no needs. I will try to help you remember this if necessary:)

Hey Shannon Jayne uses an app on her smart phone and Ingunn uses one too
I forgot their names maybe that will help to play.

I remembr your happiness when you shifted in your fall wardrobe.
So it should help

Ugh, sorry about the home repair, Shannon. I need to be shopping my closet right along with you. I was going to tell you how easy this should be be for you with your fab wardrobe. Then I realized that I have a pretty fab wardrobe too, and I've only ever failed at SYC. I guess we were both born with the shopping gene. : ) I'm going to play Angie's voice over and over in my head telling me to give it a rest and start enjoying all those fab things instead of hunting for more. And let's you and I be accountable to each other!

You have got yourself a deal blonda!

*shaking hands on it*

Sorry about the house repair bills, Shannon - that is always an "ouch."

And yes, SYC is going to be tough. But I LOVE the idea of seeing how many ways you can wear some of your fabulous items. A challenge like that might substitute a bit for the thrill of the hunt?!

Well, good for you to do this. It's a little sacrifice, but maybe this will turn out into something good? It's true that you have such a fantastic wardrobe. Maybe you'll find new ways of pairing old items that you will fall in love with.

Still, I'd save a little budget, however small, for accessories, so you don't feel totally deprived.

Krish - you've read my mind. I've been thinking about this the past day or so and decided you're quite right, if I go completely "cold turkey" I will very likely fail. So have decided on $40 per month ($20 per pay check) for thrifting.

Is this cheating?

No.

You've received some excellent suggestions! I would just look at this as a opportunity to challenge yourself and work with the wonderful wardrobe you already have. I love the idea of cataloging your wardrobe, in fact I was just reading about doing that on this webside: http://www.puttingmetogether.c.....ng-go.html she is actually referring to Go Chic or Go Home, but you can read abut it there. Let me know what you think and keep us posted. I know YOU CAN DO IT.

Shannon, I don't think that's cheating - I think it's being wise about your limits and not setting yourself up to fail. My 'one a month' is a similar thing. Much less shopping but in a way I think I can succeed.
Do you want to do a little closet challenge of some kind next month to make it more fun? I am going to wear all my accessories (not including jewelry). Granted, I don't have a ton, so it's not daunting to me. In fact, I have only 3 purses here, 2 scarves, and 2 hats, so the bulk of it is really a belts challenge lol. For me, the challenges I've been doing have helped highlight what I'm not wearing, and *why*.
For instance, my shoe challenge had me leaving all heels to the very end. Lesson - I don't wear heels here in the FL heat.
My jewelry challenge is only half done but I am already finding bracelets get tossed on most frequently, followed by long pendant necklaces. Anyway, my point is that the challenges take your mind off shopping and also show you that you already have lots to choose from, probably more than you are actually wearing. That's always a good lesson when trying to buy less!

Carole - thank you so much for the info on Go Chic or Go Home - fascinating! I'll have to check it out more in depth when I have a bit more time.

Mo - I really like the idea of a monthly closet challenge. I will definitely be looking for ways to keep things interesting, as well as learn what I'm really wearing most often and why I'm not wearing other things. But I might have that wait until December - I think I'm going to use the rest of October and November to take pics of my entire wardrobe, including shoes/handbags/belts (not going to include jewelry) and create a catalogue. I think that will really help me see more clearly what I really have. Keep the great suggestions/wisdom coming please!